Green Party shut out. Again.
I really shouldn’t be surprised:
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 3:48 PM
Subject: News Release – 2008 Leaders’ Debates / Communiqué de presse – Débats des chefs
[...]
News Release – 2008 Leaders’ Debates
OTTAWA, Sept. 8- Canada’s leading broadcasting networks today announced plans for the Leaders’ Debates during the general election campaign.
[...]
The Green Party:
The Consortium approached the parties to explore the possibility of including the Green Party in all or part of the Leaders’ Debates. However, three parties opposed its inclusion and it became clear that if the Green Party were included, there would be no Leaders’ Debates. In the interest of Canadians, the Consortium has determined that it is better to broadcast the debates with the four major party leaders, rather than not at all.
[...]
Jason MacDonald
Spokesperson for the Network Consortium
T (416) 482-1357
C (647) 205-4744
macdonald@veritascanada.com
The Green Party isn’t being included in the debates because three of the four establishment parties don’t want the Greens there. I’m surprised that they cared enough to threaten to pull out.
(Update: Edited for style)
That seems weird to me, that the “established” parties end up having the final word as to whether the Green Party was included. Could the Liberals, NDP, and Bloc threaten to pull out unless the Conservatives were left out? I know, that would just be silly.
I also find it odd that they threatened to pull out, especially if they didn’t know that the other two parties would also threaten it.